The United States is a country unique in the fact that it is made up of various different ethnic groups, all contributing to the overall makeup of the culture and population of this nation. Ethnic theatre in the United States primarily came about as a result of the mass influx of immigration from various nations to the United States, and gained the most momentum during the early 1900s. Ethnic theatre faced many problems including lack of funding and resources, opposition from communities, and disputes within the theaters themselves, but nevertheless grew into cultural power-houses that allowed immigrants to be exposed to their original language and traditions, be educated in their ethnic customs, emotionally release the tension, fear and hardships of immigrant life, and connect socially with others going through similar struggles. Ethnic theatres provided a unique way for immigrants to keep in touch with the customs and languages they were tied to, in addition to educating the children of immigrants on the cultural individualities of their heritage, further keeping the culture alive. These theatres were also a much needed escape from the difficulties and hardships of immigrant life, as many faced discrimination, hard labor, and family hardships; the theatre provided a safe place to release the emotional strain so many immigrants were feeling, while also being a place to laugh and escape the harsh realities of their daily lives as they cultivated friendships and relationships. Ethnic theatres kept customs and traditions alive for many ethnic communities, connecting people to their past and to each other, while also exposing Americans to the social injustice many immigrants experienced within society.
Around 1925 however, immigrant theatres faced rapid decline as a result of growing xenophobia and other forms of media such as radio that began to mask Ethnic theatres. Nevertheless, ethnic theatres refused to vanish entirely and resurfaced following WWII as the civil rights movement paved the way for African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans to delve into drama to express their past and express their experiences within American society. As these minorities were largely excluded from mainstream American media, individuals found in ethnic theatre a vessel to express and define themselves as a person connected with their ethnicity, culture and past as they embraced their heritage. Theatre provided, and continues to provide, a creative outlet in which ethnic communities can explore and display their experiences within American society, raise awareness of social injustice, and keep alive the customs and traditions that make each culture distinctive; ethnic theatre in America has the ability to continue to flourish, educate, and expose the realities of the lives African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans within the United States, all while bolstering the traditions and uniqueness of each individual culture.
Around 1925 however, immigrant theatres faced rapid decline as a result of growing xenophobia and other forms of media such as radio that began to mask Ethnic theatres. Nevertheless, ethnic theatres refused to vanish entirely and resurfaced following WWII as the civil rights movement paved the way for African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asian Americans to delve into drama to express their past and express their experiences within American society. As these minorities were largely excluded from mainstream American media, individuals found in ethnic theatre a vessel to express and define themselves as a person connected with their ethnicity, culture and past as they embraced their heritage. Theatre provided, and continues to provide, a creative outlet in which ethnic communities can explore and display their experiences within American society, raise awareness of social injustice, and keep alive the customs and traditions that make each culture distinctive; ethnic theatre in America has the ability to continue to flourish, educate, and expose the realities of the lives African Americans, Native Americans, Hispanics, and Asian Americans within the United States, all while bolstering the traditions and uniqueness of each individual culture.